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Do you know what number you are?
What bike are you on?
No idea on the number yet, they've not published gridding. I'll be in GB kit with white shoes, helmet and gloves, riding a lurid orange Trek Top Fuel. You can spot it from across a valley!
The main thing I'm after knowing is tyre choice and ground conditions. The weather forecast looks damp but not torrential, and there is a fair chunk of road/firetrack to think about. Does the ground on the natural stuff hold up to the rain fairly well, or would slick (ish) tyres be a really bad idea?
Following on from that, how 'puncture-y' is the ground likely to be. I've the option of some heavier tyres if needed, although the only place I've used them this year so far was Finale Ligure. Cheers everyone!
Tough call on tyres.
The outbound leg to Yair is on the Southern Upland Way path, so well armoured hardpack and stony.
Not sure on they Yair trails, apart from the first section which is the first 3mins of this video:
I rode the zigzag climb after the road section heading back west at the weekend, also hardpack and grippy. The short singletrack section after that (Mud Funnel on Trailforks) is wide but unridden. Mostly grassy with hidden rocks and looks to be largely newly strimmed. Pretty wide but no real obvious lines.
The downhill towards Walkerburn looks to be this trail:
Next climb after Walkerburn is long and relentless, starts on farm track, forest road then wide and rocky over the moor. All holds up well in the wet. Then New York, New York- well known Golfie trail with loads of Youtube videos out there.
The climb up to Dunslair is more farm/estate track, grassy but hardpack- well used by gravel bikes. Then after that is pretty much 100% trail centre at Glentress. Watch for Goat Track, that's got potential for flats as there's a few square edge rocks in the first half.
http://www.geograph.org.uk is a good site for checking on the ground conditions too
Heading up to Nevis Range for first time in donkeys years! Taking the boy up for his first trip, Friday only so we can be back for BMX and Road Race.
What's the best plan for travel to venue? We used to blag parking passes for the auction mart and laugh at the bus shuttle queues but those days are long gone....
Are shuttle buses reasonably good these days? Or is it worth considering taking bikes to ride from town, if so what's the nearest car park to minimise ride distance up and back with a tired 10 year old?
Are shuttle buses reasonably good these days? Or is it worth considering taking bikes to ride from town, if so what’s the nearest car park to minimise ride distance up and back with a tired 10 year old?
At Ceept's suggestion we're parking at the high school but then riding up. 6km but we have the tow rope, hoping it feels reasonably flat/downhill on the way home 😬
We’re on holiday in D&G next week and have tickets for the short track XC on Thursday - looking forward to it!
Predictably, the hard of thinking Glasgow residents are up in arms about this. Utterly depressing anti cyclist rants on social media posts from the council and police
Looks like the trail fairies have been pretty busy at Fort Bill.. a fair bit of smoothing out at the top and some new lines through the woods.
Live from 13:15 on BBC1 on Saturday.. doesn't look like Red Bull are covering it this year.
Iwas just about to post a link to the above. James is pretty handy on a bike
Se****ng to the lad... "they've made that a LOT easier" lots and lots of rocks at the top 3 mins removed/covered etc.
Predictably, the hard of thinking Glasgow residents are up in arms about this. Utterly depressing anti cyclist rants on social media posts from the council and police
God bless them and their ill fitting football shirts.
God bless them and their ill fitting football shirts.
On a more serious note, I really hope the teams/riders/hotels etc have some full on security - I can see various parts of Scotland being an absolute magnet for thieves over the next fortnight.
That Fort Bill DH preview is mental (to me). I wish i had the bottle to do that at such speeds and abandon.
I'll stick to riding XC i think 😀
“they’ve made that a LOT easier” lots and lots of rocks at the top 3 mins removed/covered etc.
Don't worry, I raced the very first event they held on that course (think it was a round of the French Avalanche series) and it was cyclepath smooth for about the first 2 runs, then the ruts and braking bumps formed (oh, not to mention the absolutely needless bus-stops into the heather which were just a rutted nightmare with horribly janky drops back ON to the main path, it was 50/50 if I could actually land one of them so I just had to jump off the bike and run it on my race run 🙄).
Don’t worry, I raced the very first event they held on that course (think it was a round of the French Avalanche series)
Wow I remember that!
I did the XC race, a mate did the DH.
Anyone going to Fort William - please take a net, gloves and smidge...cover up!
https://www.smidgeup.com/midge-forecast/
And another preview, from Jamie Edmondson.
At Ceept’s suggestion we’re parking at the high school but then riding up. 6km but we have the tow rope, hoping it feels reasonably flat/downhill on the way home 😬
Perfect , exactly the sort of insight i was hoping for, was trying to work out how to shave some distance off by parking out of town, high school is great shout.
high school is great shout
Bear in mind the spectator guide almost implies this will be pay and display, so hopefully it's not a scalping for the full day...
If coming from the north and you want to avoid Fort William town, Spean Bridge has some park n ride. We used that last year - fine getting in but after the finals the shuttle buses seemed to prioritise the other routes/locations: 50mins without a Spean Bridge bus... Hopefully better this year!
Previous years we're ridden in from Glen Nevis using bike trailer and Mac Ride. Good fun and company riding back afterwards with lots of folks on bikes.
Bear in mind the spectator guide almost implies this will be pay and display, so hopefully it’s not a scalping for the full day…
Though..... you sure it's actually open? Not mentioned specifically in the spectator guide and searching online it looks like it has been a park and ride venue in previous years but not this year? Are you just assuming it's open for any old parking?
Yeah my bad, it's referred to as Blar Mhor, free parking, capacity 1300. Is the Shuttle Bus 2 pickup.
I can't really find it on the map, looks like it's just a field on Google Street View!
Predictably, the hard of thinking Glasgow residents are up in arms about this. Utterly depressing anti cyclist rants on social media posts from the council and police
Yes, I've just seen some tirades on FB... And some from folk who are no where near the route - but seem to reserve the right to go on that day to a place on the route...
Predictably, the hard of thinking Glasgow residents are up in arms about this.
It was the same in Harrogate. I must have engaged with some content on Facebook, and so I was bombarded with rants from local press and Facebook groups for months. I refuse to go back to the place, they can keep their angry little bubble to themselves. I've never seen so much stubborn negativity.
Even seen a notice in a shop window explaining how they couldn't open due to traffic disruptions. The fact that the thousands of people stood outside their shop managed to get there just fine was obviously lost on them (I had parked just round the corner without any bother about an hour earlier).
Apparently no local businesses are going to benefit from the influx of competitors, teams and spectators.🙄
In Glasgow? I suppose in theory I might not spend any money, but it's highly unlikely.
Any cafés/eateries claiming it'll bring nothing in? I'll avoid them if there are, so their self-fulfilling prophecy stays intact.
Even seen a notice in a shop window explaining how they couldn’t open due to traffic disruptions.
I saw a bookshop with a notice like that. Really passive aggressive. It was just around the corner from Betty's Tearoom which must have made more money that week than the rest of the year put together!
Seems standard that everyone suddenly becomes very concerned about the elderly, disabled and carers whenever there's any sort of road closures for cycling or traffic filters. They never bother with that same concern if the road is closed for (eg) roadworks...
I'm volunteering at the trials (yes, that's on too). I'm looking forward to it except for the obvious downside that I'll have to visit Glasgow.
Track cycling this Sunday for me and the family. Should be good. Just had to rewatch some uci vids to remind myself what all the different events are.
9.30pm last night, TransPennine Express cancelled my train to Glasgow so that required some rejigging of plans but I'm on a train now - along with a lot of bikes and people!
We're leaving soon, just sneaked in a nice morning spin 😎
For any of the STW Glen Nevis contingent, we're arriving this afternoon and I'm hoping to drag the family up the Glen to do this walk
https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fortwilliam/steallfalls.shtml
Maybe leaving the bottom car park 3-3:30. Let me know if anyone else has kids needing to stretch their legs and wants to meet up 👍
Who’s not going? Quite a lot of the poorer nations who can’t afford it, including nations that have to travel to third countries such as Turkey to apply for visas. Ukraine has had lots of help but many African nations have given up, including top rider, Biniam Girmay who has now abandoned his application for a visa.
Enjoy the UCI white cyclist “world championships”!
Article in The Guardian today, sorry, but don’t know how to post a link.
Thanks! I must improve my skills…
Ignore me. found the broadcast now
many African nations have given up, including top rider, Biniam Girmay who has now abandoned his application for a visa.
Enjoy the UCI white cyclist “world championships”!
There's some debate as to whether he was refused a visa or if he's injured... 🤷🏻♂️
I was once involved in sorting visas for a Track World Championships and it was really onerous. There have been several cases of riders/staff from certain African and occasionally Far Eastern nations sort of "going missing" once they're in the UK...
Foreign Office wanted all sorts of guarantees that they'd all be escorted back to the airport after the event and chaperoned throughout their stay.
Not sure if this is allowed, but I've got a spare ticket for tomorrow and Saturday with gondola access if anyone is interested. It's listed on Twicketts if you are interested or dm me.
I've got my road race vehicle.
BMW M440i.
👌
@padkinson.
Had a ride over to Yair this morning and rode the section from the Three Bro's through Yair and out up the switchback climb in Elibank.
The fireroads are dry and firm but all the singletrack is pretty muddy.
Quite a few people out pre riding the course and no one had semi slicks on.
We are heading there tomorrow. Does anyone know if you can still walk down the side of the track from the gondola to the bottom?
Excellent video from Fox support
A flying practice run from vali, if Rachel is out then I’d bet on vali for the win
Currently volunteering in the velodrome. I’m enjoying my role. Met some interesting people on the short train ride between Dalmarnock and Central.
Was only a matter of time before someone started whining n’ bitchin regarding road closures/access
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-66396892
Was only a matter of time before someone started whining n’ bitchin regarding road closures/access
Yeah the papers and media have been magnifying the negatives. ☹️
Everything I've experienced in person up here so far has been fine though, no issues (yet...)
Arrived to FW today from Aberfoyle with family, eldest particularly excited about seeing his first world champs tomorrow. We came across a mixture of views in Aberfoyle about the road closures, from excitement about the event and people coming to the area, to grumpiness about changes to travel plans. Also some grumpiness about the money spent on roads where the route runs, but not on others arguably more in need.
How are the gondola queues at FW?
We've been in town two says now, tried out the pump track, visited Arisaig beaches today, all good.
Just planning tomorrow with wife and 5yr old, thinking we get to site 12ish and get straight into Gondola queue, maybe ride it up and down and back upfor the views, disembark and walk down course, spend remaining time at bottom?
I was up the hill most of the day but about 11ish there wasnt much off a queue especially compared to last year!
Watching BBC footage of the Juniors. Commentator just explained why the pads on trees.
Watching the junior girls DH and the commentary is woeful. Blathering away about nothing without noticing a girl crashed off the side of the course which then resulted in a red flag and aborted run for the next rider.
It sounds like the guy that does the BC races, but it isn't translating to TV. Hopefully gets into his stride as the races go on.
a girl crashed off the side of the course which then resulted in a red flag and aborted run for the next rider
yeah, multiple riders as it turned out, I think
On the shuttle bus "home", a guy and his daughter )who'd been sat next to me) had obviously got on the wrong bus so we had to stop to let them off. As they got off he said to the whole bus "my daughter's the south african who crashed and held up the race"
Bit of a dick-dad move IMO but at least she was off by then
^ So they held up both the race and the bus? Consistent if nothing else.
The weather in Glasgow is RUBBISH. ☹️
@crazy-legs any recommendations for a good spot to watch tomorrow's race? Course looks, er, interesting! Asking for my son who's in Glasgow for the week.
George Square is the main fan zone with big screens and there's a large crowd on the infamous climb of Montrose Street but to be honest anywhere is good. There are tens of thousands of people lining the barriers, clapping, banging the boards, cheering for everyone from first to absolute dead last rider. Good atmosphere.
Be prepared to wait a while if you want to cross the course, the crossing points are busy and only open for limited periods in between the back of the race clearing it and the front coming around again.
Loads of cafes, bars etc so no issues getting food.
Weather has picked up a bit too. 🙂
Great info, thanks very much and will pass it on. Good news about the weather, however in Scotland you can be subjected to all 4 seasons in one day! Enjoy your time there.
scaredypants
Full Memberyeah, multiple riders as it turned out, I think
Pretty much has to be that way, anyone on course and above the red on the track is going to have their run stopped. Sucks tbh but without 5 minute gaps it's always just one of those things.
Men's RR stopped by protestors... 🙄
Just Stop Oil? TV coverage (understandably) hasn't given any airtime to them.
Here in George Square. Brilliant atmosphere
You'd think the Polis would head from the other way, but nah.
Easier to bring the existing resources from the back rather than try and send new resources from Glasgow the wrong way along the route.
Totally fair enough, thanks for the info.
How's the atmosphere been during this break?
Relaxed at first, getting a bit more frustrated now.
Been all about the ladies for me so far. Watched Katie Archibald and team win pursuit at the velodrome last night and just been out to cheer on all the GB team in marathon, but mainly smiling Isla.
Bored now
Can well imagine.
Wonder if the the nuclear option of sending André Greipel up the road to have a 'chat' with the protestors was offered up?
what do we think of the course? Not entirely popular with some of the comments I've seen on twitter who seemed to want a 220km social ride followed by 30km of racing at the end, but this is more like a long crit - where you need to be switched on, tactically aware, as well as just having good legs.
commentators suggesting any mechanical/puncture with this circuit is race over. Far too tight in places could hardly get past neutral service :/ Single file the whole circuit!
Just Stop Oil? TV coverage (understandably) hasn’t given any airtime to them.
Appears to have been This is rigged. Same people who have been blocking grangemouth
Go on, why?
Course looks like it was designed entirely by the local council.
Gah, this course is dreadful!
It's making for some entertaining riding but can't be much fun to ride
That course must be exhausting to ride with all that cornering and acceleration. Great for spectators, shite for the riders
is that not better than just going to whoever has a strong team to manage the pace and bunch and then can sprint at the end?
The course is resulting in them racing like they are in the last 10km, despite there being 100km+ to go. Great entertainment and equal opportunity for all riders so no complaints from me.
WHO IS IN THE BREAK FFS ???
is that not better than just going to whoever has a strong team to manage the pace and bunch and then can sprint at the end?
Guess that depends if your belief is that cyclings an individual sport or the team sport that it is.
Belgium doing a good job of controling it as a team for time being